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Workington won't have let Cook go for no reason. Just as Glasgow and Edinburgh did!

There seems to be this strong core of older fans in Workington who love to spout negative Chinese whispers about the club. We’ve had all sorts in the past few weeks, even the referee’s box had burned down the other week. I just don’t get it? Where were these moans directed when we didn’t have a club, football or rugby?

not sure i agree with that whoever the senior reserve is each month should score well

I think some people are too harsh on Simon Lambert. Looking at his final averages since covid. 2024: 5.98 2023: 6.02 2022: 5.33 2021: 5.82 He's a solid 5 to 6 point rider. Not everyone can make it to be a top Champ rider.

With so few teams and riders these days there's no point holding grudges as they'll probably end up riding for your club at some time! I wasn't happy at bomber coming back to Glasgow, Poole fans were unhappy about schlein and Lawson (and probs kerr when it's announced) but they've all turned out well.

Very happy with the side put together when looking at realistic targets and lack of options for an out and out number 1. Nice blend of youth and experience, and more importantly no prima-donnas who will mess us around. Hopefully a good environment for Boughen to develop in as well. Riders like Iversen and Klindt should be excellent role models with their ultra professional approach. We should be solid at home. Yes away might be a struggle at times, especially in 13 & 15 but that’s where we are. Hopefully we can grow our own number one so to speak in Kvech or even Cook if we can keep him for a few seasons.

You'd rather have 9 points rider averaging 6 than one who averages 9? Strange.

I was at Redcar that night along with many other Comets fans. We were only given a facility to use Rider Replacement because of the goodwill of the referee. It seemed that the club only found out Craig wasn't coming about an hour before tapes up having reportedly been informed by Dayle Wood. The travelling fans were not happy. It just seemed very unprofessional.

Why do people find the need to say the club has made a mistake in moving a rider on? If you follow a team in another sport you support the club and the players that play for your club badge each year. Speedway is no different. Craig has had a great career over 3 spells in a Comets bib both domestically and on the international stage with a variety of success over the rest of his club career so now he isnt a part of the plans its deemed a bad decision? I will envisage there are multitude of pros/cons to sign any rider and the club has deemed that he doesnt fit the mould for the upcoming season. This is a chapter that has closed for now (at least) but rest assured the club will be putting together a side with all intention of winning silverwear and like the sides in 2018 & 2024 write the 2025 side in your peril!

He had a good season in '23 & last year was curtailed by his illness, pneumonia, of which he had for over 2 months but still rode with it. He DID NOT let the Scorpions down!

Apologies to all the Chinese speedway fans out there

What makes a whisper Chinese? No need for that this is 2024 not 1974

John Titman?

Spot-on Jaizer…….Riders move around so much now compared to the old days. The rider you loved to hate one year can be your hero the next.

Cook confirmed at berwick. still can't get my head around why we would release him an keep batchelor. Absolute ludicrous decision. If the team im hearing is correct it's got disaster written all over it for the future of workington speedway

He’s a rider who hasn’t endeared himself very well in the past but neither had Ricky before he came along and look what happened with him! I’m not a huge fan but if he goes out there and rides in a good headspace then we have a proper no.1 for sure! the thought of having him and Rory going to the Pairs for us is a bit exciting too…

Totally agree with your views,he was out of order that night and the fans and promotion deserved better, He also pulled out of the Ben Fund meeting and never even bothered to even show up. Craig says in his statement without injuries we could have made the final, we were never going to beat that Poole team so the team managed without him at the end of the season just fine with decent guests. Great rider when his head is in it but every season at some point he goes missing which is fustrating for the fans and promotion. Berwick the latest club to give him a go next.

My thoughts regarding our 1-7 below: B Cook - Obviously on a massive upward trajectory if ‘24 is anything to go by. I think riding in Poland will benefit him competing against top guys every week. Going to be a different challenge this year as he doesn’t have 2 senior heat leaders above him. I think he may struggle initially especially with his riding position, but once he comes out of No. 1 and into 3-4 he will be very consistent home and away. 8/10 signing. N K Iversen - The back end of 2024 was insane, he had no right to be rolling back the years like that. I wouldn’t expect him to carry on in the same manner though, but this year I don’t think he’s expected or will be needed to step up as much. As long as he stays steady gets his 6-7 points consistently home and away he’s certainly done his job. 8/10 signing. N Klindt - I like Nicolai, he’s an honest and open guy who is genuinely passionate about Kings Lynn and wants the club to succeed. Think that can be seen last year when he made a few surprise appearances when out injured. However, he is coming back from another truly horrendous injury. We all know it’s not just the physical side of it, it’s the mental too. Will he be as aggressive? will he attempt the manoeuvres he would’ve before? Personally, I think it might just have been one big injury too many. That being said, he is the most likely to drop down to reserve after the first average changes, and like anyone in the team he should be a trump there. 7/10 signing. J Kvech - What a man this guy is. Came in last season and completely turned our season around. He took to Saddlebow Road like a duck to water. His away scores weren’t the best and he would be the first to admit that. However, this season that should change as he’s now seen everywhere at least once. Will be a big year for Jan, and I think we all expect him to step up and be the 8.00 rider we know he’s capable of being. 10/10 signing. R Lawson - Great to have him back. Again like Nicolai, he calls the AFA home. A No. 1 around Lynn, and probably one of the most consistent performers you could ask for. Will never let you down and is a great guy to have around. 9/10 signing. C Harris - Over 10 years in the making getting this guy to Lynn. A speedway legend in every sense of the word. Mr Entertainment, will do the unthinkable and will bring excitement. Starting at reserve is a huge bonus, and should score big points to ensure we get off to a good start of the season. 9/10 signing. A Boughen - The rising star with highest ceiling, but will he fulfil his potential? I don’t think Rob is putting too much pressure on young Ashton, and with the way the team is built there shouldn’t be. If he can score 4-5 at home and 2-3 away, he’s more than done his job. Local lad as well, knows the track inside out which helps. With no expectation on him, I’m sure he will get over his confident issues and he can just go out there and enjoy riding. 8/10 signing.

Was gonna say the same. There’s a fag paper between all three so it doesn’t really matter which one is at reserve. I’d be very surprised to see Kvech at reserve at any point though. Out of the whole team he’s the one that has the potential to get to 1 and stay there.

Still believe having 3 reserves in Rowe, Gilkes and Flint will bite us in the arse, sometimes at home but especially away. If top four don’t get 40+ points each meeting then can see more defeats than wins making top 4 a big challenge

Will be hard to beat around Kings Lynn, away from home might be a bit weak in heat leader department but then having a strong number 6 can counter that so will be interesting to see how it plays out for the Stars.

Really pleased with and excited by that team. Ticks an awful lot of boxes for Lynn fans. We will be releasing a bonus episode of the Pride of the East podcast next week to discuss the 1-7, keep an eye on the socials for more information.

Most Teams would like an inconsistent 9pt man in Championship 👍

People still guessing teams with Foord in, he’s not at Poole next season

Wouldn’t want Starke in the team over Foord. Hagon was on fire at the start of the season but hugely tailed off. Hagon Vinnie Thompson all riders that will up there average next season wherever they are

I'd suggest RS picks should be riders "too good" for the NDL. But still not ready to step up to the Prem fully.

Doesn't sound like a team with a budget for 500 fans attending

Same here,good signing considering the options available in GB.Good Shielfield record.Suprised the nasty comments from some “so called “Bandits supporters.

If Foord is elsewhere and it’s management decision, then I just hope the rider coming in lives up to the potential that Vinnie has. Not only is Foord a huge fans favourite on and off the track, we can all see the raw talent he has and he’s a Brit on top of that. Let’s hope the rumours of Starke are just that. No offence to Paul Starke but we know his level and he’s been on a downward trajectory for the last few seasons while Foord is only going one way. Of course we have to build up to 40 points but I for one would rather be a point short at 39 than 39.95 with Starke.

The days of holding grudges are long gone

You'd rather have thomas jorgensen than a rider who's average around berwick is 12.75? Strange one that! Workingtons loss is berwicks gain

Is that the airfence repair cost numbers ?

Cook on his day is an excellent Championship rider. It's just maintaining him for a full season that is the problem. Hopefully he can get the Berwick fans on side with his performances on the shale and can have a more consistent season. I think especially with some of the top boys dropping the championship next season he could prove a good signing.

Add Belle vue kings Lynn Ipswich Leicester Oxford to that list

No surprise on Fricke back as number one but as usual likely to go missing if they make the play offs.

Without question that’s one hell of a team assembled. Cant see anyone building as strong as that.

Harris will only be at 6 until the first set of new green sheets are announced, no way that Klindt, Kvech or Iversen will pose as much as threat at number 6 as Harris does

All I’ll say is that the Workington scouting pool stretches further than riders known to British Speedway. That combined with the strongest reserves in the league is probably how the team will line up in 2025. Plus in my opinion we have the most exciting talent in the league on a sub 7 point average who will outshine a lot of those riders on your list The same was said last winter when people assumed we’d be signing the likes of Theo Pijper and Simon Lambert as second strings…

These days more often than not an 8.5 rider is a number one.

I think Bomber will probably be doing heats 12&14 the whole time he’s at reserve if I’m honest

I would say Schroeck is terrible, worse than Ermolenko imo. Both Oxford teams could have been stronger but they didn't use up their available points. Look at Poole & Belle Vue, both dropped reserves to try & strengthen up, didn't matter that they were already safe in a play-offs position. Winning mentality at those clubs.

That statement from Cook is in such bad taste. ”I wish the Comets all the best for 2025”, having just brought their moral compass into question by accusing them of going back on their word. I love Craig Cook, the rider. However, Craig Cook, the person, desperately needs to distance himself from childish finger-pointing on social media and if I’m honest, drama in general. Time to grow-up before it’s too late.

Oh God, he's back.

Something like this, replacing Bailey with someone else if he isn't riding maybe? Wright 8.37 Flint 6.68 Edwards 6.18 Vuolas 6.40 Bailey 4.97 Mulford 4.27 Trigger 3.00 39.87

As for Declan, as far as I can tell based on what little results info I can find on him. Worse than: Tate Zischke, Luke Killeen, Declan Killeen. Better than: Jacob Hook, Dayle Wood, Matt Marson. I know that doesn't tell you much 🤣 Zaine has ridden over here before a few years back and he was more than capable of being a solid number 6 or a good number 2, but he's had some horrific injuries.

The only way for Cook to silence any doubts fans may have about him is to bang big points in especially at home and I can see him doing that all day, if he feels a bit aggrieved at thinking he’d be back at Workington he might have a point to prove. Cracking signing none the less for me.

Just for accuracy it was Leicester who struggled with accepting dates. Poole offered plenty!Moving on..........

Never seen much track grading or watering during a meeting at Scunthorpe, other tracks tend to do a few during the meeting. I will say that racing is top quality at Scunthorpe, as it is at Workington , Redcar and Glasgow, these tracks alongside BelleVue are the best in the country

A weak Birmingham or any other team for that matter is of no use to the League, lose Birmingham and the League is virtually unsustainable unless Peterborough/Wolves make a return. A bigger League will always be more conducive to maintaining the structure of British Speedway but it relies on individuals and sponsors to keep propping up these clubs.

Bewley, Kurtz, Emil And Doyle, TWICE!!! What's not to like..?